Justice News

Hartford Man Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Heroin

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that YOANNI SUAREZ, also known as “Cuba,” 39, of Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 78 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for trafficking heroin.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2015, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force received information that SUAREZ was selling large quantities of raw heroin in Hartford. SUAREZ was arrested on September 17, 2015, after investigators coordinated a controlled purchase of heroin from SUAREZ. SUAREZ possessed 278 grams of heroin at the time of his arrest. A subsequent search of his Stafford Street residence revealed an additional 986 grams of heroin.

The quantity of heroin possessed by SUAREZ would create approximately 50,000 individual bags when broken down for street sale. SUAREZ admitted to law enforcement that he obtained heroin at a price of approximately $60,000 per kilogram, which he received from his supplier on credit.

SUAREZ has been detained since his arrest. On January 7, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin.

The FBI’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Task Force includes members of the Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Police Department, Connecticut State Police and Connecticut Department of Correction.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Gustafson and Gabriel J. Vidoni.